ANOTHER STEP TOWARD HIS GOAL – In 2009 Moran got a leg up on his future while pitching for the Hyannis Mets. This week the hometown favorite officially signed with the Chicago White Sox, with whom he hopes to win his first of many World Series rings.

Kevin Moran looks forward to a White Sox future

Not long ago, Kevin Moran was closing games for the Barnstable Red Raiders from the mound at the Barnstable High field. At that time he was heading off to play ball for Boston College, while still holding onto dreams of playing in the Bigs.

What a difference a few years can make.

In the past week Moran, who graduated from BHS in 2007 and played for the then-Hyannis Mets in 2009, officially signed with the Chicago White Sox.

“It certainly is mind-blowing,” Moran said during a June 21 phone interview. “I look back and I can remember high school, sitting there in the dugout. I remember last summer in the Mets dugout.”

Moran was a toddler when he first picked up a baseball, barely able to throw a few feet. Decades later, Moran boasts pitching speeds in the nineties. It is that skill with a ball that got him recognized by baseball’s bigwigs on draft day.

Moran said when he heard his name called it was a surreal moment.

“Sitting there during the draft process, actually hearing my name called by a team…it kind of validates my experiences,” Moran said. “It brings you to a good place in your mind after all those days of practice. It all kind of flashes before your eyes when you hear your name called. It’s like 10 years of hard work all boiled down to one person calling your name on a conference call.”

For the time being, after an 18-hour road trip and overcoming the challenge of finding a place to live, Moran will pitch for the Bristol White Sox of the Appalachian League.

“If I do well I’ll move to their A-Ball in Kannapolis, North Carolina,” Moran said.

While he’s beyond thrilled to have such opportunities, he is quick to note that playing A-Ball isn’t the end of the road for him.

“This isn’t really the end goal for me. The end goal for me is to get there with the actual White Sox,” he said.

That he is on his way to playing in the Major Leagues isn’t lost on him.

“I try to stay humble,” he said. “There are so many people out there that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without.”

Moran immediately gives credit to high school coach Dan Proto, Hyannis general manager Bill Bussiere, and especially his family.

“They were thrilled for me,” he said. “Everyone sees the finished product of the big smile on my face at the end, but there’s a lot that went into it between that smile. I’m the person’s name they called, but I have a great support system that has believed in me.”

So where does Moran hope to be in five years?

“Five years from now I hope to be in the Big Leagues with a World Series ring on my finger with the Chicago White Sox,” he said. “Some people might think that’s unrealistic, but it’s not.”

Such lofty goals are simply part of Moran’s determinedly positive attitude.

“Every day I’m just lucky to be where I am. I have no reason not to be positive,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason. God put me where I belong. I’ve had a pretty good journey thus far. I’m getting paid to throw a baseball from now on. Anyone who is negative about it is not smart. It’s an unbelievable ride. It’s all really exciting.”